Astronaut gloves with finger extensions

ABSTRACT

Finger extensions for astronaut gloves for astronaut suits are disposed in sleeves on digits of the gloves. Different embodiments for the extensions are illustrated and discussed. The sleeves are secured to the tops of the digits. The extension elements include bases disposed in the sleeves and tips at outer ends of the bases. The tips may include pads which contact elements desired to be manipulated. The extensions are pivotal with the movement of the astronaut&#39;s digits in a glove. Only a slight movement of the astronaut&#39;s digits is required to provide the required dexterity for the astronaut user to grasp, pick up, move, etc., desired elements with the extensions. Inflexible rings about the extensions are fixed to the gloves prevent reverse bending of the extensions and maintain the extensions generally parallel to the users fingers. The extensions may be fixed or extendable and retractable, as desired. Particular designs for the extensions may depend on the desired task for the astronaut or astronauts and the elements with which the astronaut(s) will be working.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 13/815,237,Filed Feb. 12, 2013.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to astronaut gloves for a space suit, and moreparticularly, to astronaut gloves with finger extensions to providefinger dexterity for astronauts while working in the hostile environmentof space.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Astronaut gloves are, of necessity, very cumbersome with respect tofinger dexterity. Because of the nature of the environment in whichastronauts work, astronaut space suits are inherently stiff anddifficult to move with any degree of ease of motion. Gloves areespecially difficult to use for certain types of work required in therepair and assembly of elements in space. Moreover, the astronaut suitsand gloves include tubes for heating and cooling. The many layersinvolved in the astronaut gloves render them very difficult to use whengrasping is needed or desired to any degree of flexibility. The presentinvention overcomes the problems of the prior art and providesastronauts with dexterity not found in the prior art by providing fingerextensions on the gloves.

Finger splints have been used for many, many years for immobilizingsprained or broken fingers. Moreover, there are types of gloves in theprior art that use elements to immobilize fingers for various reasons,such as arthritis or multiple broken or sprained fingers. Essentially,splints have been adapted to such gloves. In some cases splints may besecured to basic gloves with hook and loop fastening elements. However,such gloves are not comparable to astronaut gloves. And splints are notcomparable to extensions for cumbersome astronaut gloves to enableastronauts to work in the hostile environment of space.

Gloves have also been suggested that have tips to enable gardeners tofacilitate gardening functions by including fixed tips to fingerelements of the gloves or to adaptations of second or outer gloveelements that may be put on over flexible gardening gloves. In thelatter situation, flexible elements are secured to the outer glove andextend outwardly from finger elements of the inner glove. Again, suchadaptations of basic gardening gloves are not comparable to extensionsfor cumbersome astronaut gloves to enable astronauts to work in thehostile environment of space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described and claimed herein comprises extensions forfingers on astronaut gloves. The extensions may extendable andretractable as desired, or they may be fixed, depending on theparticular application for which the gloves are to be used. Severaldifferent embodiments of finger extensions are described. The extensionsprovide an astronaut with the dexterity to pick up and use or adjust,etc., relatively small items.

Among the objects of the present invention are the following:

To provide new and useful astronaut gloves for an astronaut suit for usein the hostile environment of space;

To provide new and useful astronaut gloves having finger extensions forgrasping an element;

To provide new and useful extendable finger extensions for astronautgloves;

To provide new and useful finger extensions housed in sleeves onastronaut glove fingers;

To provide a new and useful astronaut glove having segmented fingerextensions;

To provide new and useful finger extension sleeves secured to the top offingers on gloves;

To provide new and useful finger extension caps secured to the tips offingers on gloves;

To provide new and useful flexible finger extensions for gloves;

To provide new and useful astronaut gloves having finger extensions andrings for keeping the finger extensions generally parallel to theastronaut gloves' fingers;

To provide new and useful finger extensions for astronaut gloves andrings about the extensions for preventing the reverse bending of theextensions;

To provide new and useful extendable and retractable finger extensionsfor gloves; and

To provide new and useful astronaut gloves having finger extensions withopposable elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an astronaut glove of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a portion of the astronaut glove of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the apparatus of FIGS. 2and 3.

FIG. 5 is a view in partial section taken generally along line 5-5 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view in partial section of a portion of theglove apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view of the apparatus of FIG. 6 sequentially following FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is a view in partial section taken generally along line 8-8 ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of a portion of afinger extension.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a portion of the apparatus of FIGS. 9 and10.

FIG. 12 is a view in partial section of a portion of the apparatus ofFIGS. 9, 10, and 11.

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of another alternate embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view in partial section of another alternate embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view in partial section of another alternateembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 15 sequentiallyfollowing FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of another alternate embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an astronaut glove 10 of the presentinvention. The glove 10 includes a cuff section or portion 12 whichincludes elements 13 for connecting the glove 10 to the arm portion ofan astronaut pressure suit. The glove also includes a palm section orportion 14. Extending from the palm section 14 are five digit sectionswhich receive the astronaut's digits, namely a thumb section 20, anindex finger section 30, a middle finger section 40, a third fingersection 50, and a little finger section 60.

For convenience, the respective digit sections will simply be referredto hereafter as “fingers.” When reference is made to the thumb orfingers of an astronaut user of a glove, such reference will be madespecifically to insure that there is no confusion in what is referredto, whether reference is made to a portion of a glove or to the digitsof the astronaut user of the glove. For simplification, all five digitsections will generally be referred to as “fingers,” unless it isnecessary to refer to the thumb specifically.

Each finger section includes a pocket or sleeve in which is disposed afinger extension element. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the finger 20includes a sleeve 22, the finger 30 includes a sleeve 32, the finger 50includes a sleeve 52, and the finger 60 includes a sleeve 62. Thesleeves are shown secured to the tops of the respective fingers. In eachsleeve is a finger extension element, one extension for a thumb and fourextensions for the index finger, the middle finger, the third finger,and the little finger, respectively. Except as specifically set forthherein, the thumb will generally be referred simply as a finger.

Five finger extensions are shown in FIG. 1, an extension 24 for thefinger 20, an extension 34 for the finger 30, an extension 44 for thefinger 40, an extension 54 for the finger 40, and an extension 64 forthe finger 60. Each extension includes an end portion which is curved tofit around the end of each finger. The extensions are shown in FIG. 1 asbeing extended outwardly in their open positions, as opposed to theirclosed or their nested positions. In their nested positions the endportions of the extensions are disposed against the distal tips of thefingers.

The extension may be selectively extended or remain nested, or closed,as desired by the astronaut user or wearer. That is, as astronaut usermay desire to only extend one or two extensions, or perhaps three, four,or five. Both the open or extended and the closed or nested orientationsof the extensions are illustrated in some of the drawing figuresdiscussed below.

The extensions include a base generally disposed in their respectivesleeves and movable therein, and a tip secured to the base. The base isthe proximal portion of the extension and the tip is at the distal endof the extension. Each tip includes a curved end. The curved end fitsover the distal tip of the finger. At the bottom of the end is a returnand on the bottom of the return may be a pad. A pad, if present,corresponds to and is aligned with the bottom of the tip of the user'sfinger.

It will be noted that the sleeves are shown open at their proximal endso that a base of the extensions may extend inwardly (toward theastronaut's wrist or toward the cuff section 12) beyond a sleeve ifdesired. On the other hand, the sleeves may be closed at their proximalends if desired.

The extension 24 includes an end 26 and a pad 28, the extension 34includes an end 36 and a pad 38, the extension 44 includes an end 46 anda pad 48, the extension 54 includes an end 56 and a pad 58, and theextension 64 includes an end 66 and a pad 68.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the extension 64. FIG. 3is a side view of the extension 64. FIG. 4 is an enlarged top or planview of a portion of the extension 64 and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view inpartial section taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4. For thefollowing discussion, reference will be made to all of the FIGS. 2, 3,4, and 5.

The extension 64 is shown, and it comprised a plurality of segments orlinks joined together. The segments or links include an end segment orlink 70, a link 80, a link 90, a link 100, and a link 110. The link 70includes the end 66 and the pad 68. The pad 68 is secured to the bottomof a return portion 67.

The links include a plurality of tongue-like projections or elements onone end, and a plurality of slots on their opposite ends which receivethe tongue-like projections or elements. The link 70, comprising thedistal link, includes only a plurality of tongue-like projections orelements on one end because of the end 66. The links 80, 90, 100 includetongue-like projections or elements and slots, while the link 110,comprising the proximal link, includes only slots.

The link 70 includes tongue-like projections or elements 74, 76, and 78.Extending outwardly or rearwardly from a rear end 72. As best shown inFIG. 5, the rear end 72 below the tongue-like elements 74 is chamferedto allow the link 70 to pivot downwardly relative to the link 80.

The link 80 includes slots or recesses 82, 84, and 86, which receiverespectively the tongue-like projections or elements 74, 76, and 78. Apin 88 extends through aligned apertures in the tongue-like elements andlinks to secure the links 70 and 80 together in a pivoting relationship.

The pivoting relationship is a one way relationship because the slotsextend downwardly from the top surface of each link but the slots extenddownwardly only a distance sufficient to allow a limited downwardlypivoting of the adjacent link. This is best shown in FIG. 5.

The adjacent link cannot pivot upwardly beyond its original generallystraight orientation aligned with the astronaut's glove and theastronaut's hand in the glove. Thus, the pivoting is essentiallyunidirectional. This is clearly shown in FIG. 5. The astronaut user maybend a finger downwardly and the extension 64 will bend with the finger,but the extension cannot reverse bend during use. In other words, thebending is a one way bending with the return to the normal position asnested in the sleeves.

The link 90 is substantially identical to the link 80. The link 100 issubstantially identical to the links 80 and 90 in the tongue-likeprojection or element and slot structure, but is wider, as shown in FIG.2, to provide offset end walls 102 and 104 to limit the outward movementor outward distance that the extension 64 may move. This will bediscussed below.

The link 110 is the same width as the link 100. The link 100 includesboth tongue-like projections or elements and slot elements but, asstated above, is the proximal link and thus includes a proximal end wall112.

Each of the links 70, 80, 90, 100, and 110 include aligned apertures andpins to join together the respective links, as shown for the links 70and 80 in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Generally, the links 80, 90, 100, and 110 may be considered as the baseof the extension 64. The link 70 may be considered as the tip. The basemoves in and through the sleeve 62, and the tip 70 moves outwardly fromthe sleeve 62 as desired by the user.

FIG. 6 is a side view in partial section through the finger 60, showingthe extension 64 in its closed or nested position. FIG. 7 shows theextension 64 moved linearly outwardly to its outermost position,generally straight and parallel to the finger 60. FIG. 8 is a view inpartial section taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 7. For thefollowing discussion, reference may be made to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8,specifically, and also to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 as directed.

For convenience, the extension 64 is shown without the link structureshown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, as discussed above. The sleeve 62 isshown appropriately secured to the top of the finger 60. Three rings120, 122, and 124 are shown extending through the finger 60 and in thesleeve 62.

The rings are inflexible and made of appropriate material for strength.The rings need not be round, but are configured appropriately as desiredto confine the extensions, as may be understood from FIG. 8.

The rings 120, 122, and 124 allows the links 70, 80, and 90, as shown inFIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, to move through the rings as the extension 64 ismoved outwardly by the astronaut user. However, the offset end walls 102and 104 cannot pass through the rings 122 and 124 and thus limit theoutward movement of the extension 64. See FIG. 2.

Another function of the rings 120, 122, and 124 is to provide alignmentfor the extension 64. The rings, along with the sleeve 62, limit thesideways or lateral movement of the extension 64. Thus, the extension 64remains substantially aligned with the finger 60.

Also, as may be understood and is obvious from FIGS. 6 and 7, theinflexible rings 120, 122, and 124 also prevent the extension 64 fromreverse bending during use, as with the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, asdiscussed above. Thus, the extension 64 remains substantially alignedgenerally parallel to the finger 60 as the finger 60 moves or bends inaccordance with the movement of the astronaut's hand and digit (notshown) movements within the finger 60.

While the design of the links prevents the reverse bending of theextensions in normal action or movements of the astronaut's fingers, asdiscussed above, the inflexible rings also insure that an extensionremains secured to the glove and the respective fingers and sleevesregardless of the upward force placed on an extension. This is bestillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 8 shows the ring 122 disposed in the sleeve 62 and extendingthrough the finger 60. The upper portion of the extension 64 is confinedbetween the sleeve 62 and the finger 60. In addition to the ring 122,the extension 64 is also confined by the rings 120 and 124, and by abridge 126 beneath the extension 64. The bridge 126 defines with thering 120 a slot in which the extension 64 is disposed, thus insuringthat the extension 64 cannot move upwardly from the generally parallelorientation of the finger 60 in response to a movement of the finger 60by the digit (not shown) of the astronaut user. This will be discussedin more detail below.

Thus, the inflexible rings provide the structural strength to insurethat an extension does not interfere with the integrity of a glove,always insuring that an extension remains generally parallel to thefinger 60 and to the user's digit (not shown) within the glove's finger.In maintaining the generally parallel orientation between an extensionand the finger, and thus the user's digit in the finger, not only do therings prevent the upward bending of the extension, but they also help toprotect the user's digit from being overextended upwardly regardless ofthe force put on an extension.

While three rings 120, 122, and 124 are illustrated, more or fewer ringsmay be used, as deemed appropriate. For example, it may be advantageousto have one ring for each link in an extension. Moreover, the length ofa sleeve and its extension may also be as desired or as appropriate.

Another embodiment of an extension is shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12.FIG. 9 is a top plan view a portion of an extension 130. FIG. 10 is aside view of the extension 130. FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a portionof the extension 130. FIG. 12 is an enlarged side view in partialsection of a portion of the extension 130. For the following discussion,reference will be made to FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12.

The extension 130 comprises links 132, 150, 180, and 190. In FIG. 11,the link 132 is shown to include a distal curved end 134 and a bottompad 136. The link 132 also includes a curved rear end wall portions 138and 140, and a slanted rear end wall 142. A tongue-like projection orelement 144 extends rearwardly from the slanted rear end wall 142. Abovethe tongue-like element 144 is a straight portion 146 of the rear endwall joining the curved portions 138 and 140.

The link 150 includes a curved front end wall portion 152, and a curvedfront end wall portion 154 and a straight portion 156 joining the curvedportions 153 and 154. The link 150 also includes a rearwardly slantedend wall 158. The straight portion 156 abuts the straight portion 146 ofthe link 132.

The link 150 also includes a slot 160 which receives the tongue-likeelement 144 of the link 132. Aligned apertures in the tongue-likeelement 144 and the link 150 receive a pin 148 to pivotly secure thelinks 132 and 150 together.

The downward pivoting of the links 132 and 150 is limited by the slantedportions 142 and 158. As the link 132 pivots downwardly, the wall 142will contact the wall 158 and no further pivoting may occur. Upwardpivoting of the link 132 relative to the link 150 is prevented by thecontact or abutment of the wall portions 146 and 158 on the links 130and 150, respectively. Again, the pivoting of the extension 130 is a oneway pivoting, with reverse bending of the link prevented by the contactor abutment of the respective wall portions.

The link 150 also includes a rounded rear end wall portion 162 and arounded rear end wall portion 164. The rounded portions 160 and 162 arejoined by a straight portion 166 which abuts a mating straight portionof the link 180. The link 150 also includes a rearwardly extendingtongue-like projection or element 170. The tongue-like element 170extends outwardly from a slanted rear wall 168.

The link 180 is substantially identical to the link 150 in general inthat it includes rounded or curved portions like the curved portions 152and 154 and curved or rounded portions 162 and 164 and straight portionslike the straight portions 156 and 166 between the respective rounded orcurved portions of the link 150. The link 180 also includes a slantedfront wall beneath the curved and straight portions, as shown in FIG.10. A slot extends into the slanted wall to receive the tongue-likeelement 170 of the link 150.

However, the width of the link 180 is greater than the width of thelinks 132 and 150 to limit the outward movement of the extension 130,substantially the same as discussed above for the extension 64 when theextension 130 is used with the ring structure of FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

The link 190 has the same structure on its front end as discussed abovefor the links 150 and 180 to allow it to be secured to the link 180.However, since it is the proximal or rear link for the extension 130, itincludes a straight rear end wall 192.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation in partial section of the finger40 and its sleeve 42, but with an alternate embodiment 200 of a fingerextension. For purposes of simplification, rings are not shown in FIGS.13 and 14. However, it will be understood that the discussion of ringsin conjunction with the embodiments of FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, is alsoapplicable to the extension embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5,9, 10, 11, 12, and to the finger and extension embodiment of FIGS. 13and 14, and also to the extension embodiments of FIGS. 15 and 16, and tothe finger and extension embodiment of FIG. 17. Indeed, the ringstructure is applicable to all of the extension embodiments illustratedin the drawing figures and discussed herein.

The finger extension 200 includes a base 202 and an end portion 204which completely encloses a distal tip 41 of the finger 40. The endportion 204 comprises an end cap for the end 41 of the finger 40. Theend cap 204 may be as long or as short as desired. The base may besegmented as discussed above in conjunction with the extensions 64 or130, or otherwise, as discussed below.

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of another alternate embodimentfinger extension 210 in the environment of the finger 30. The finger 30includes a distal tip 31 and the sleeve 32.

The extension 210 includes a base portion 212 and an end cap portion214. Covering the end cap 214 is an end cap sleeve 216. The end capsleeve encloses the end cap 214. When the extension 210 is in its closedor nested position, as shown, the end cap 214 and its sleeve 216essentially becomes a thicker portion of the finger 30 for the astronautuser.

FIG. 15 is a side view of another alternate extension 220. FIG. 16 is aside view of the extension 220 sequentially following FIG. 15,illustrating the pivoting movement of the extension 220. For thefollowing discussion, reference will be made to FIGS. 15 and 16.

The extension 220 includes a rear flexible portion 222 and a front rigidportion 230. The rigid portion 230 includes a curved end 232 and abottom recess 234. The recess 234 is spaced apart rearwardly from thecurved end 232. The recess receives a laminate portion 224 of theflexible portion 222. The flexible portion 224 is appropriately securedin the recess 234. As the extension 220 is moved outwardly from itssleeve, not shown, the rigid end 230 may bend as at 226. The bending ofthe extension 220 may be limited in its outward movement from itssleeve. Again, the use of rings as discussed above, and a widenedportion of the flexible portion to abut a limiting ring, may limit theoutward movement of the extension 220.

While the flexible portion 222 is shown as comprising an elastomericmaterial, it will be noted that any appropriate flexible material may beused. Such material must be flexible in the confines of outer space.

The curved end 232 is dimensioned to fit over the tip or end of a fingerin its inner or nested position, as illustrated and discussed above inconjunction with other embodiments.

The curved end 232 is shown without a pad, and likewise the curved endsor caps 204 and 214, discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 13 and14, are shown without pads. It will be noted that the pads are locatedbeneath the tips of the astronaut's fingers for usage.

The extension elements essentially become extensions of the astronaut'sfingers. They may be dimensioned as appropriate, and the extensionelements for each finger need not be the same length.

If desired, the end portion for the thumb digit, such as the finger 20,may be wider than a single digit as shown so that the user may grasp anelement with the thumb and more than one finger, such as between thethumb and index and middle fingers. As may be best understood from FIG.1, the tip of the thumb may be opposed with the index finger and themiddle finger for easy grasping. As indicated, a widened thumb extensionmay also allow opposition with the index finger and the middle finger,or all four of the fingers, as needed or as s desired.

FIG. 17 is a schematic top view of a portion of a finger 240 and asleeve 242 secured thereto. The sleeve 242 includes a front or distalportion 244 and a rear of proximal portion 246. The rear portion 246 iswider than the front portion 244. A pair of shoulders 248 and 250 extendbetween the respective narrow portion 244 and the wide portion 246.

A portion of an extension 260 is shown associated with the sleeve 242.The extension 260 includes a front narrow portion 262 and a wider rearportion 264. A pair of shoulders 266 and 268 extend between therespective narrow portion 262 and the wide portion 264. The tip, notshown, extends from the narrow portion 262.

The outward movement of the extension 260 is limited by the shoulders248, 250 and 266 and 268 of the sleeve 242 and the extension 260,respectively. In FIG. 17, the respective shoulders are shown in anabutting relationship, indicating that the extension 260 is at itsoutermost location.

FIG. 17 thus illustrates another method of limiting the outward movementof an extension. The inward or nesting orientation or location of theextensions is defined by the abutment of the end or tip of an extensionand the tip of its finger, as shown in FIGS. 6, 13, and 14.

Returning again to FIG. 8, a bridge 126 across the ring 122 above thefinger 60 and below the extension 64 provides extra strength andreinforcement for the glove. The bridge 126 essentially defines a slotin the ring 122 in which the extension moves, and provides more accurateand more precise movement of the extension. Thus, with each ringincluding a bridge, each extension is securely held in slots for greateraccuracy or precision in the use of the extensions and extra strengthand reinforcement for each finger.

It will be noted that the pads are located so as to be opposablerelative to the thumb for grasping an object or element. That is, anobject or element may be grasped by the thumb and an adjacent finger orfingers, with the pads aligned with the bottom of the tips of theastronaut just as if the astronaut were grasping the object or implementwithout the impediment of the astronaut suit and its cumbersome gloves.

It will also be noted that there is appropriate frictional engagementbetween the sleeves and the extensions so that a positive movement bythe user is required to move the extensions relative to the sleeves. Theextensions will not move unless the user astronaut positively movesthem. They will not move of their own accord as the user's arms andhands move. Once in the desired position, they will remain untilpositively moved inwardly or outwardly by the user. If desired, ofcourse, the extension elements may be fixed in place for particularusage.

It will be further noted that while the rings 120 are shown partiallydisposed within a finger of a glove, the rings may be disposed about afinger and appropriately secured to a finger if desired.

It will be further noted that the use environment of the presentinvention has been for astronaut gloves. However, there may beadaptations for the finger extensions for other than for astronautgloves. The present invention is thus appropriate for any applicationwhen a user's finger dexterity is required but hampered by the gloverequirements, as with astronaut gloves, deep sea dry diving suit, etc.,where finger dexterity is limited by a cumbersome pressure suit of anytype.

While the principles of the above described apparatus have been madeclear in illustrative embodiments, without departing from thoseprinciples there may occur to those skilled in the art modifications ofstructure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, andcomponents used in the practice of the apparatus, and otherwise, whichare particularly adapted to specific environments and operativerequirements. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace anyand all such modifications within the limits only of the true spirit andscope of the present disclosure, including the use of an integral gloveas part of the sleeve of a suit.

What I claim is:
 1. An astronaut glove for a space suit configured foruse by an astronaut in the hostile environment of space comprising incombination: a cuff section having elements for securing the glove tothe space suit to enable the astronaut to work in the hostileenvironment of space; a palm portion at a front side of the gloveconfigured to receive a palm side of the astronaut's hand; a dorsalportion at a rear side of the glove configured to receive a dorsal sideof the astronaut's hand; a plurality of fingers including a thumb fingerextending from both the palm and dorsal portions; and each finger of theplurality of fingers includes a distal tip and a sleeve situated on therear side of the glove; wherein a finger extension is disposed withineach of the sleeves, each said finger extension includes a base having aproximal end disposed and movable within each of the sleeves and an endportion including a distal end with a tip, the end portion is curved tofit around the distal tip of each of the plurality of fingers, thedistal end of each of the end portions is disposed outside each of thesleeves extending towards or around to the front side of the glove;wherein each of the finger extensions are selectively movable inwardlyand outwardly in each of their respective sleeves such that each of thefinger extensions has an open position and a nested position, whereinthe open position comprises wherein each of the finger extensions areextended outwardly from each of their respective sleeves, wherein thenested position comprises wherein the end portions of each of the fingerextensions are disposed against and around the distal tip of theirrespective finger from the rear side to the front side of the glove; andthe distal end of the finger extension on the thumb finger beingdisposed oppositely from a remainder of the distal ends of the fingerextensions of the plurality of fingers for grasping an object by theastronaut; and wherein at least one of the finger extensions of theplurality of fingers are selectively moved outwardly to enable theastronaut to grasp an object when working in the hostile environment ofspace.
 2. The astronaut glove of claim 1, wherein each of the basesincludes a plurality of segments.
 3. The astronaut glove of claim 2, inwhich the plurality of segments are pinned together for relativepivoting.
 4. The astronaut glove of claim 3, wherein pivoting movementof the plurality of segments allows only one directional pivoting. 5.The astronaut glove of claim 1, wherein each end portion of each of thefinger extensions is an end cap portion comprising an end cap sleeve,the end cap sleeve enclosing the end cap portion.
 6. The astronaut gloveof claim 1, in which each of the finger extensions are selectivelymovable outwardly relative to each of their respective sleeves forgrasping an element at least between the thumb finger and another fingerof the plurality of fingers, and selectively movable inwardly when notneeded for grasping.
 7. The astronaut glove of claim 1, which furtherincludes means for limiting outward movement of each of the fingerextensions relative to their respective sleeves.
 8. The astronaut gloveof claim 7, in which the means for limiting the outward movement of eachof the finger extensions includes at least a single inflexible ringsecured to each of the plurality of fingers and a surface on each of thefinger extensions for abutting the single inflexible ring.
 9. Theastronaut glove of claim 7, in which the means for limiting the outwardmovement of each of the finger extensions includes an abuttingrelationship between each of the finger extensions and their respectivesleeves.
 10. An astronaut glove for a space suit configured for use byan astronaut in the hostile environment of space comprising: a palmportion at a front side of the glove configured to receive a palm sideof the astronaut's hand; a dorsal portion at a rear side of the gloveconfigured to receive a dorsal side of the astronaut's hand; a pluralityof fingers including a thumb finger extending from both the palm anddorsal portions; and each finger of the plurality of fingers includes adistal tip and a sleeve situated on the rear side of the glove; whereina finger extension is disposed within each of the sleeves, each saidfinger extension includes a base having a proximal end disposed andmovable within each of the sleeves and an end portion including a distalend with a tip, the end portion is curved to fit around the distal tipof each of the plurality of fingers, the distal end of each of the endportions is disposed outside each of the sleeves extending towards oraround to the front side of the glove; wherein each of the fingerextensions are selectively movable inwardly and outwardly in each oftheir respective sleeves such that each of the finger extensions has anopen position and a nested position, wherein the open position compriseswherein each of the finger extensions are extended outwardly from eachof their respective sleeves, wherein the nested position compriseswherein the end portions of each of the finger extensions are disposedagainst and around the distal tip of their respective finger from therear side to the front side of the glove; and the distal end of thefinger extension on the thumb finger being disposed oppositely from aremainder of the distal ends of the finger extensions of the pluralityof fingers for grasping an object by the astronaut; and wherein at leastone of the finger extensions of the plurality of fingers are selectivelymoved outwardly to enable the astronaut to grasp an object when workingin the hostile environment of space.
 11. The astronaut glove of claim10, in which the proximal end of each said finger extension is a rearflexible portion and the end portion of each said finger extension is afront rigid portion, and further wherein the end portion of each saidfinger extension is pivotally secured to its respective proximal end.12. The astronaut glove of claim 10 in which each said base is segmentedfor pivoting movement.
 13. The astronaut glove of claim 12 in which thepivoting movement is unidirectional configured to correspond withmovement of the astronaut's digits.
 14. The astronaut glove of claim 10,in which each said finger extension is movable outwardly from the nestedposition against each of the fingers to the open position linearlyoutwardly from each of the fingers.
 15. The astronaut glove of claim 10,which includes a ring secured to each said finger of the plurality offingers for limiting outward movement of each of the finger extensionson each said finger and for preventing reverse bending of each of thefinger extensions, and further wherein each said ring includes a bridgeportion beneath each of the finger extensions, and defines with eachsaid ring a slot in which each of the finger extensions is disposed toeach said finger of the plurality of fingers.
 16. The astronaut glove ofclaim 10, which further includes a plurality of rings secured to eachsaid finger of the plurality of fingers, and each ring of the pluralityof rings includes a bridge defining with each said ring a slot in whicheach of the finger extensions move.